After the Supreme Court ordered a Special investigation Team (SIT) headed by its former judge Justice J Chelameswar to look into the affairs of the Vantara wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, the fact-finding panel visited the site Thursday to probe the allegations made by two Public Interest Litigations (PILs), The Indian Express has learnt.The PILs were filed in the wake of a controversy over the shifting of an elephant, Mahadevi, from a temple in Kolhapur to Vantara in July.A source privy to the development confirmed that the Supreme Court-appointed fact-finding team visited the site Thursday to begin its three-day inquiry at Vantara — the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre of Reliance Foundation. The survey will be completed by Saturday, the source said.On August 28, the SC’s Division Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale had ordered a SIT to be instituted on the back of the two PILs. Besides Justice Chelameswar, the SIT also has former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Court Justice Raghavendra Chauhan, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale and Additional Commissioner Customs Anish Gupta.The apex court had directed the SIT to examine and submit a report on a number of issues — including the acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants, and compliance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and rules for zoos. The court had directed the SIT to submit its report by September 12.The SIT will also look into the International Convention on Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) and compliance with import/ export laws and other statutory requirements concerning imports/ exports of live animals; and, compliance with standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, standards of animal welfare, mortalities and causes.Besides, the SIT will also examine complaints covering a range of other issues — climatic conditions and allegations concerning location near an industrial zone; creation of a vanity or private collection, breeding, conservation programmes and use of biodiversity resources; misutilisation of water and carbon credits; allegations of breach of different provisions of law, trade in animals or animal articles, wildlife smuggling etc., “as made out in the articles/ stories/ complaints referred to in the petitions as well as generally”.Story continues below this adThe Bench had “clarified that the above exercise undertaken by the SIT has been permitted only to assist the court as a fact-finding inquiry so as to ascertain the true factual position and to enable the court to pass any further order, as may be deemed fit on the basis of the material furnished and contained in the report”.The Bench said it “neither expresses any opinion on the allegations made in the petitions nor this order be construed to have cast any doubt on the functioning of any of the statutory authorities or the private respondent – Vantara.”It pointed out that the two petitions “are based exclusively on news and stories appearing in the newspapers, social media and diverse complaints by non-governmental organisations and wildlife organisations” and “make accusations of wide amplitude viz, unlawful acquisition of animals from India and abroad, mistreatment of the animals in captivity, financial irregularities, money laundering, etc”.The court had said that “upon the reading of the pleadings, we find that what has been presented through these petitions are only allegations with no material of probative worth. There appears to be no supporting material”.Story continues below this adAfter the SC ordered the inquiry, Vantara had said that it will extend full cooperation to the Special Investigation Team.“We acknowledge the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court with utmost regard. Vantara remains committed to transparency, compassion and full compliance with the law. Our mission and focus continues to be the rescue, rehabilitation and care of animals. We will extend full cooperation to the Special Investigation Team and continue our work sincerely, always placing the welfare of animals at the heart of all our efforts,” it said in a statement.